BYD achieves 'record-breaking' sales as Chinese car giant plans major UK expansion

In March alone, BYD sold more than 15,000 vehicles, with drivers flocking to forecourts to get their hands on cars with the new "26" number plate.

This was the strongest March in BYD's UK history, achieving an impressive total market share of almost four per cent and outperforming many established competitors.

The Shenzhen-based automaker remains the UK's leading "New Energy Vehicle" seller, with an 11 per cent share of the electric and plug-in hybrid market.

Its sales in March were backed by recent additions to the market, featuring the Sealion 5 DM-i and the Seal 6 in both Saloon and Touring variants.

The brand has also gained from the recent fuel price crisis seen across the UK and the rest of the world, stemming from conflict in the Middle East and soaring oil costs.

It noted "considerable interest" in its Super Hybrid DM-i cars, which can offer up to 935 miles of range on a full tank, and its affordable electric models.

READ MORE: BYD unveils major partnership as it launches new electric car that charges in just five minutes

Commenting on the manufacturer's sales record in 2026, Bono Ge, country manager of BYD UK, said the brand was "naturally delighted" with its "impressive" totals.

He added: "Building on the growth which we've already had in this country since we arrived three years ago, our cars, with their strong value-for-money and appealing style and technology, continue to really strike a chord with both private and fleet buyers up and down the country.

"As a result of the fluctuating prices at the pumps currently, we're also seeing plenty of interest from British car buyers interested to learn more about our innovative electric, as well as plug-in hybrid, technologies."

BYD's impressive sales total has been bolstered by an ever-growing retail network, which currently stands at 132 sites, and is expected to grow to 150 over the coming months.

The manufacturer reported that its Seal U DM-i was its most popular car over the first quarter of the year, while the electric Seal was the best-selling zero emission vehicle.

Over the first two months of the year, the BYD Seal U was also the ninth best-selling vehicle in the UK, beating out the likes of the Volkswagen Golf and Vauxhall Astra.

Mr Ge continued, saying: "I'd like to personally thank the drive and passion of our UK team and our retailer partners in delivering this success, and we're looking forward to having a really strong rest of the year."

He also highlighted lofty plans for BYD to introduce its premium, technology-led Denza brand to the UK market at some point this year.

BYD confirmed that it would unveil the Denza Z9GT at the Palais Garnier opera house in Paris, France, on Wednesday, April 8.

The European launch of the Z9GT will "redefine" electric vehicles, according to the company, with a range of up to 800km and some of the fastest charging speeds in the world.

When combined with a 1,500kW Flash Charger, the electric vehicle can be charged from 10 to 70 per cent in just five minutes.

The Z9GT charges from 10 to 97 per cent in just nine minutes, and can even be fully charged in just 12 minutes when in freezing temperatures of -30C.